Police: 2012 Saw Fewer Bad Traffic Accidents, Enforcement Efforts Credited

The Somerville Police Department Wednesday said the city saw a 23 percent decline in serious traffic accidents from 2011 to 2012.

What's more, police say stepped up traffic enforcement efforts led to the decline.

According to an announcement from the police department, there were 350 serious traffic accidents in 2012. A serious accident is one that results in personal injury or damage to a vehicle of $1000 or more, the announcement says.

In 2011, there were 455 serious accidents, the announcement says. That's a 23 percent decline from one year to the next.

Meanwhile, police issued 11,076 moving violations in 2012 compared to 8,239 in 2011, the announcement says. That represents a 34 percent increase in tickets issued. It also means police in 2012 were issuing, on average, about 30 tickets per day in the city.

Police targeted high accident areas, which they determined after reviewing crash data, the announcement says. Police also tageted pedestrian violations, began enforcing traffic violations by bicycle riders, and worked with the Department of Traffic and Parking to identify necessary roadway improvements, it says.

In a statement, Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello said, "The results speak for themselves. Enhanced traffic enforcement based on statistical analysis has significantly improved safety for drivers, pedestrians and bicyclists across the city."